Phantoms Lose in Stoppage Time, 2-1
June 20, 2007 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
New Hampshire Phantoms News Release
MANCHESTER, NH - (June 20, 2007) - The New Hampshire Phantoms suffered another tough setback at the hands of rival Western Mass Pioneers tonight when the visitors broke a 1-1 deadlock in the 91st minute. It was the second loss of the season in extra time for the young NH squad.
The Phantoms had fought back from an early 1-0 deficit to tie the game with just under 10 minutes to play in regulation time. NH's Craig Stewart (Franklin Pierce College '05) served a low liner from the left touchline toward the far post where teammate Tom McNeil, who had just entered the game, buried a one-time left footed volley just inside the post. McNeil's shot was a spectacular goal considering he was facing away from the goal when he struck the ball.
That goal tied the game and gave the Phantoms added life in front of its home crowd on "School's Out Night" and "Support Our Troops" night at Chabot-McDonough Field at Manchester Memorial High School.
NH had rallied back after the Pioneers took a lead just five minutes into the game on a Jay Willis penalty kick. The Pioneers' Willis calmy deposited his shot just wide of the Phantoms' sprawling goalkeeper Brian Levey (UNH '07). The PK came as a result of a tremendous 60-yard run down the left side of the field by the Pioneers' Omar McFarlane. McFarlane was the recipient of a Pioneers clearing ball from its own defending third after a Phantoms restart from just outside the penalty box failed to make its way into the box. McFarlane was taken down just outside the right post as he was preparing to pull the trigger on his shot.
Following the Phantoms scoring rally, Easton Wilson was left alone on the far post and buried a one-timer served by McFarlane for the game-winner at 91:00.
Each team had suffered a loss in it last game prior to tonight's matchup with the 1-5-4 (7 points) Phantoms losing to the first place Charlotte Eagles 2-0 in Virginia and Western Mass, 2-4-4 (10 points) taking one on the chin to the City Stars in Cleveland 4-0.
One of the longest rivalries in USL Second Division soccer, the win boosted the Pioneers all-time record against the Phantoms to 21-12-3. The Phantoms defeated Western Mass 1-0 in its last meeting in Manchester on June 9. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw earlier on in the season at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow.
NH hits the road this weekend for a pair of games. The Phantoms play Harrisburg City Islanders on Friday night in Harrisburg, PA, before flying Sunday to Bermuda to take on the Hogges in a rare Monday evening match.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 20, 2007
- Cleveland City Stars Only One Step Away from Hosting Beckham - Cleveland City Stars
- Phantoms Lose in Stoppage Time, 2-1 - New Hampshire Phantoms
- Kickers overcome D.C. United, 3-2 - Richmond Kickers
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